OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7645, 24 May 1886, Page 3 (Supplement)

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The third session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand was on May 13 opened by the Governor, when His Excellency was pleased to make the following speech : — HONOCJIUIiLE GE.NTLF.JIKN of THE i.kcisi.ativk Council and est lumen ok the House of Representative:-,— It ailords me much pleasure to meet you thus early in Parliament assembled. The year which is now passing will be memorable throughout the British dominions as that on which our gracious Sovereign enters on the fiftieth year of her reigu. You will, I feel assured, desire to prove that subjects of this moat distant part of Her Majosty's possessions, share equally with Her Majesty's subjects in other parts of the world the highest appreciation of the great results of her long and beneficent reign. You will bo asked to consider the most suitable way of showing, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, their affection and duty to the person of the Sovereign, their love and loyalty to the Crown, their sense of gratification at belonging to a realm enjoying a sway so benignant, and their desire to see the bonds which unite every portion of Her Majesty's vast Empire confirmed and strengthened. It is particularly appropriate to such a year that I am able to announce to you that in the opinion of my Ministers, there has never been a time when the relations between Her Majesty's Kuropean and Maori subjects have been of so friendly a character. The Maoris are evincing an intelligent interest in colonising operations, and a cordial recognition of the laws of the colony. They show this excellent disposition by the readiness with which they are set-king Crown titles for large ; areas of country through which the Northern Trunk Railway will pass, and by their willingness to part with their lands to the Government for the purposes of settlement along that lino of railway. Tho negotiations for such lands are, in the opinion of my advisers, proceeding satisfactorily, and with due regard to the necessity of a sufficient quantity being retained by the Maoris for their own use. You will bo asked to amend the laws relating to the disposal of native land, in tho direction which appears to my Ministers beat adapted to do justice to the Maori owners, and hasten the occupation and settlement of the country. Public works have been proceeded with as rapidly as the means placed at the disposal of the Government permitted. Proposals will be laid before you for continuing the railways and other public works on a scale consistent with the circumstances of the colony, and in a manner most calculated to secure sound economical results. New Zealand is suffering from a depression that appears to prevail throughout the world, but which is affecting this colony much less than other countries, because of its great resources. My advisers are of opinion that this depression, rather than tending to discourage the energies of the people, should lead them to additional

I exertions, and that if, concurrently with the progress of the railways, abundant opportunity be offered to settlers to occupy and ' cultivate the land in farms of reasonable size, farmers from othor countries will be attracted to the colony, and materially aid its progress. In calling your attention to the gracious compliment which Her Majesty paid to the colonics and India in opening the Exhibition devoted to their products, and to the gratitude tho colonies and India owe to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for his untiring exertions which have led to the success of the Exhibition, I am glad to be able/ to say that my Ministers have used their utmost endeavours to secure for this f\lony an adequate representation, Gentlemen of the House or Representatives, — The estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year will be laid before you. My advisers fully recognise the importance of keeping down the expenditure to tho lowest limit, consistent with meeting the requirements of the public service and the wants of the country. The finances of the colony are in a sound condition, and gratifying progress is being made with the conversion of the loans. The San Francisco Mail Service has been To-established at a cost within the authority which you gave by resolutiou. It is gratifying that the contract should have been taken by a New Zealand company on behalf of itself and a powerful American steam shipping organisation. It is equally gratifying that New South Wales joins m the arrangement, and that assistance is received from the Government of the United States. Honouhablh GENTLEMEN OK the LegisLATIVE Council AND Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — Whilst giving attention to the undertakings which it is desirable the colony should carry out, it is not to be forgotten that the works constructed by the local bodies are of essential importance towurds promoting aud extending tho settlement of the lauds. A measure will be placed beforo you, dealing with the finance of local bodies, and enlarging their power of directly managing their own affairs. My Ministers view with satisfaction tho 'dispositicn which is being oliown to develop the local resources in the oniony, including those of the mines, the forests, sud fisheries. It is ot infinite importance to recognise and take a Wantage of the natural wealth of New Zealand, aud to encourage the prosecution of industries of a varied character. My advisers place great faith in tho operation of a policy which embraces the points of prosecuting local industries, and thus affording abundant Occupation to the population ; promoting settlement by liberal land laws, aud constructing railways with a view to opening the country ; aiding the progress of settlement, aud speedily securing satisfactory economical results ; placing the local bodies in a position to open roads, and to do other useful works ; giving to the mining population liberal facilities, and tho establishing of friendly relations with the Maoris. The arrangement for the construction of the Midland Railway, under the authority conceded by Parliament, is, in tho opinion of my advisers, a matter of hearty rejoicing. Some points of a not material nature will have to bo submitted for the ratification of Parliament. The attention of my Ministers has been constantly directed to questions relating to tho South Sea Islands. Whilst recognising the important interest New Zealand has in these matters, they have carefully avoided exceeding the authorities with which Parliament has endowed them. Bills will be submitted to you to consolidate the laws relating to crimes, municipalities, volunteers, and mines, to establish a parcels post system, and to amend the Charitable Aid aud Hospitals Act. I commend to your attention the business that will come before you, and earnestly hope your labours will, under the blessing of God, be attended with good to tho colony.